Known for precision, Louisville, KY, Wire EDM cuts intricate shapes in hard or delicate materials without physical contact. Its capability keeps wire EDM at the core of Precision CNC Machining and today’s manufacturing.
Roberson Machine Company leverages advanced wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) to cut burr-free, precise parts—whether complex prototypes or production-grade components. Reach out at 573-646-3996 or contact us online to see how Louisville, KY, Wire EDM can improve speed and quality for your next project.
Article Synopsis
- A short explanation of how wire EDM works, how it cuts without contact, and where it outshines conventional machining.
- Key specifications and capabilities including tolerances, taper limits, work envelopes, and materials to assess project fit.
- Illustrative real-world applications and industries such as aerospace, medical, packaging, and energy, and the roles that lead the projects.
- What Roberson Machine Company brings to the table. This includes proven processes, modern equipment, and predictable lead times from prototype through production.
Wire EDM expands design and manufacturing potential, from aerospace prototypes to medical-grade components, in ways other processes cannot. Below, we outline how the process functions, where it’s applied, and what working with Roberson Machine Company looks like.
Table of Contents
- What Is Wire EDM Machining?
- Real-World Applications for Wire EDM and Precision Cutting
- FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC: New Wire EDM Technology
- Wire EDM Capabilities & Specs
- Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting
- Materials We Work With for Wire EDM
- Why Roberson Machine Company
See more about our machining capabilities, reviews, and information on Louisville, KY, Wire EDM from the blog and FAQs.
What Is Wire EDM Machining? | [city, KY, Precision CNC Services
We include wire EDM as a specialized option within our wider CNC machining capabilities. Rather than relying on direct-contact tooling, wire EDM forms conductive metals with a thin wire carrying electrical charge. Controlled sparks from the wire erode material along a programmed path, leaving highly accurate cuts without mechanical stress.
It excels where conventional machining falls short: intricate profiles, precise slots, sharp inside corners, and components made from hardened steels, titanium, carbide, and other demanding alloys. Every part exits the process with accuracy, clean edges, and readiness for your next build stage.
Real-World Applications for Louisville, KY, Wire EDM and Precision Cutting
Wire EDM is ideal when conventional cutting can’t achieve the needed accuracy, finish, or tolerance, including on hard-to-machine metals, thin walls, or delicate parts. Wire EDM provides burr-free cutting across conductive materials, from titanium and carbide to Inconel, hardened steels, and others.
Teams use wire EDM in Louisville, KY, for prototypes, fixtures, and full production runs. Examples of applications include:
- Aerospace: Intricate turbine slots, seal features, and precision tooling inserts that hold tight tolerances after heat treat.
- Military & Defense: Critical defense assemblies and hardened alloys machined burr-free with tight internal edges.
- Automotive: Prototypes, powertrain tooling, and mold inserts made with precision internal details.
- Medical: Burr-free surgical instruments, implant components, and micro features in biocompatible metals.
- Packaging: Precision forming dies and durable wear components cut with clean edges and smooth finishes.
- Food & Beverage: Washdown-ready stainless parts, corrosion-resistant and machined without added stress.
- Oil & Energy: Pump components, sealing details, and alloy parts machined for corrosive, high-pressure use.
- Automation & Robotics: Motion-critical housings, fixtures, and components for automation systems with tight interior details.
- Firearm Manufacturing: Slides, internal components, and tooling where repeatable accuracy and clean edges matter.
- Consumer & Commercial Products: Branding dies, custom fixtures, and low- to mid-volume precision parts.
- OEM & Custom Applications: Whether it’s an R&D part or production in exotic alloys, if it’s conductive, wire EDM cuts it.
Whether it’s a project or a machining challenge, contact us online or call 573-646-3996 to discuss your Louisville, KY, wire EDM machining requirements.
FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC: New Wire EDM Technology
Our shop now includes a FANUC ROBOCUT α-C400iC, boosting cutting speed, precision, and thin-wire performance. It achieves efficient auto-threading, long stable runs, and clean surface finishes—suited for complex shapes and tight interior clearances.
| Specification | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Max Workpiece Size | 730 × 630 × 250 mm (28.74″ × 24.80″ × 9.84″) | Compact footprint with generous load space. |
| Max Workpiece Weight | 500 kg (≈1,100 lbs) | Stable cutting on medium-to-heavy parts. |
| Table Travel (X/Y/Z) | 400 × 300 × 255 mm (15.75″ × 11.81″ × 10.04″) | Precise positioning for complex features. |
| U/V Travel | ±60 mm | Supports advanced taper and offset work. |
| Max Taper | ±30° @ 80 mm (3.15″); option: ±45° @ 40 mm (1.57″) | Handles steep tapers on thicker stock. |
| Wire Diameter | 0.10–0.30 mm (≈0.004″–0.012″); option: 0.05 mm (≈0.002″) | Thin-wire option supports ultra-fine features. |
| Controller | FANUC 31i-WB | Modern control with iHMI interface. |
| Notable Features | AWF3 auto threading, iPulse3 discharge control, AI thermal compensation, Core Stitch | Improves uptime, finish quality, and accuracy on long runs. |
What’s different? Building on legacy models, the ROBOCUT introduces ≈0.002″ thin-wire capacity, expanded tapering (±45° @ 1.57″ with option), and greater unattended stability through AWF3 and iPulse3. Its work envelope and load capacity differ from older units, so we’ll match the machine to your part size and tolerance needs.
Wire EDM Capabilities & Specs
For customers in Louisville, KY, our Wire EDM capabilities cover projects from delicate micro features to heavy workpieces, producing clean edges and consistent accuracy on conductive materials. The section below gives a general breakdown of wire EDMs:
Core Capabilities
| Capability | Spec | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Max Cutting Height | 16.5″ | Tackle tall parts and deep cavities without multiple setups. |
| Tolerance Maintained | ±0.0003″ | Hit critical features for aerospace, medical, and precision tooling. |
| Max Taper Angle | 45° | Produce complex profiles and reliefs in mold and die work. |
| Wire Diameter Range | .002″–.010″ | Cut ultra-fine details or heavier sections as the job requires. |
| Max Workpiece Weight | 1,800 lbs | Run large industrial components with stable fixturing. |
Work Envelope
| Axis | Travel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| X / Y / Z | 21.7″ × 14.6″ × 12.2″ | Flexible capacity for varied part sizes and setups. |
Taper Capability by Thickness
| Workpiece Thickness | Typical Max Taper | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 12″ | ±10° | Thick tooling plates and heavy die sections. |
| 3.25″ | 30° | Mold components with angled relief features. |
| 1.93″ | 45° | Sharp internal corners and complex taper profiles. |
Need details on a part or material? Contact us or call 573-646-3996 to learn more about Wire EDM in Louisville, KY.
Who Uses EDM Wire Cutting in Louisville, KY?
Wire EDM goes beyond machine shops, serving as a precision method for those who need complex parts produced correctly on the first run. Our Wire EDM capabilities are suited for:
- Project Managers & Directors: Avoid major overruns with components that arrive as specified and on time, keeping your schedule intact.
- Prototype Engineers: Refine and prove out designs quickly to prepare for mass production.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Rely on consistently accurate, burr-free parts that satisfy rigorous tolerance demands.
- Compliance & Regulatory Specialists: Count on components produced to exact standards and ready for audits.
- Maintenance & Reliability Engineers: Maintain uptime with accurate, like-for-like replacements for worn or broken components.
For work that demands accuracy, our Louisville, KY, EDM wire cutting solutions deliver results on time and on budget.
Materials We Work With for Wire EDM
Only electrically conductive materials can be cut with Wire EDM, but that makes it perfect for metals and alloys where traditional machining falls short. The method produces accurate, burr-free parts without stress or heat distortion—from thin-walled pieces and hardened steels to advanced exotic alloys.
- Aluminum: Corrosion-resistant and lightweight, frequently machined into housings, brackets, prototypes, and precision parts.
- Stainless Steel: Resistant to corrosion and highly durable, ideal for medical, aerospace, and food-grade machining projects.
- Brass & Copper: Highly machinable and conductive, making them staples for electrical contacts, connectors, terminals, and fluid-handling parts.
- Titanium: Lightweight yet strong and corrosion-resistant—ideal for aerospace structures, surgical tools, and performance parts where strength-to-weight ratio matters.
- Tool Steels & Carbides: Engineered for cutting hardened steels and carbide, making them critical in dies, molds, and wear components.
Among the range of CNC machining processes we offer, Wire EDM in Louisville, KY, stands out as a key method for meeting exact specifications. Some jobs call for it exclusively, while others combine it with milling, turning, or other precision methods for the best results that make the most sense depending on the project.
Why Roberson Machine Company for Louisville, KY, Wire EDM Cutting?
For over two decades, Roberson Machine Company has provided precision machining services to industries that demand absolute accuracy. Combining our modern CNC shop with wire EDM equipment, we offer technical precision, on-time delivery, responsive service, and comprehensive value-added services for Louisville, KY, companies.
We also provide additional machining capabilities:
- Custom CNC Machining for Part Production
- CNC Machine Automation
- Oil and Gas Precision Machining
- Aerospace Manufacturing
- Automotive Part Manufacturing
- EDM Machining
- High Volume CNC Machining
- Industrial Automation
- Solar Panel Manufacturers
- Microscope Parts Precision Machining
Offering advanced machining services and expert guidance through the entire production process, the Roberson Machine Company is your go-to for surgical-grade wire EDM solutions. See our background and team, reach us online, or call 573-646-3996 to ask about Louisville, KY, Wire EDM services and machining capabilities.